A Level Biology

If you enjoy learning about life and living organisms, and want to delve deeper into concepts that you have been introduced to at GCSE, from biochemistry and cell biology through to behaviour and ecology, then A Level Biology will offer you an exciting, challenging and stimulating area of study.

Key information

Science / Full Time / A Levels and Equivalent

Why choose this course?

Biology encompasses the cellular basis of living things, the transformation of energy that underlies the activities of life, and the genetic basis for inheritance in organisms. You will study the evolutionary relationships between organisms and the diversity of life on earth, to include microorganisms, plants, animals and fungi. The structural and functional relationships studied in biology draws on the sciences of chemistry and physics for its foundations and applies the laws of these disciplines to living things.

In your first year of study, you will begin by gaining an understanding of the biological molecules which make up living things. This will enable you to understand how these molecules build up into cells, the fundamental unit of life. You will explore the ultrastructure of cells and learn the different roles of different parts of the cell, as well as how cells are organised in organisms and how they exchange substances with their environment and other cells. You will explore the need for specialised exchange surfaces and transport mechanisms in multicellular organisms including humans, fish, insects and plants. You will also learn about the fundamental role of DNA, its role in protein synthesis and how it can be used to make sense of the great diversity of life on earth.

In your second year of study you will build upon the concepts introduced in the first year to develop an understanding of the complex biochemistry of photosynthesis and respiration, and the detailed mechanisms of the nervous and endocrine systems. You will study the latest advances in genetic technologies and discover how genes are inherited and influence populations. You will also conduct your own ecological investigation during a field course.

What will I learn?

In the first year you will study the first four topics and in the second year you will study the remaining four topics and review the first year topics.

Topics:

Biological Molecules
Cells
Organisms exchange substances with their environment
Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
Energy transfers in and between organisms
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
The control of gene expression

Practical Endorsement:

You will build practical skills throughout the A Level course which will lead to a practical endorsement. You will be required to undertake 12 core practical investigations, but you will experience many more throughout the course as practical work is at the heart of biology and brings understanding to life. The practical skills developed throughout the A Level programme will be assessed by your lecturers and will be based on direct observation of your competency in a range of skills that are not assessable in written exams. Evidence to support the practical endorsement is gained over the course of the two years and is assessed on a pass or fail basis.

Assessment Arrangements

Your achievement in this subject is dependent upon excellent attendance, punctuality and effort. You will learn in a friendly atmosphere, using a variety of assessment methods:

You will be assessed through end of topic tests under timed conditions in class, regular homework questions and through completion of class activities. You will then be given detailed feedback on your progress. Investigative skills and understanding are a vital part of the scientific process and you will be expected to develop your practical proficiency throughout the course.

You will review your own performance in 1:1 sessions with your tutor.

You will undertake mock examinations in advance of your final exams.

You will sit formal A Level exams at the end of your two years of study. A Level grades will be based only on marks for written exams, and your practical endorsement will be assessed separately as pass or fail.

Information & Support

You will be expected to undertake at least 4-6 hours of independent study time per week. Throughout the year you will be able to access additional support through drop-in sessions, dedicated revision workshops, tailored 1-to-1 provision, as well as a variety of additional opportunities to stretch and challenge the most able students. We encourage you to proactively engage with the support available in order to reach your full potential.

What will I need?

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including grade 6 or above in biology or 66 combined science. Mathematics at grade 5 or above and English Language or Literature at grade 6 or above.

Where will it take me?

A Level Biology is a highly respected qualification that is valued for many degree subjects and by employers worldwide. If you aspire to study biology or a biology-related subject at university, it is recommended that you also study A Level Chemistry, as together these broaden your options. Biology opens up a wide range of opportunities for university level study, including, but not limited to, medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, veterinary science, zoology, radiography, agriculture and horticulture, marine biology, biochemistry, genetics, dietetics, nutrition, applied biology, botany, forensic science and many other possibilities. (also update prospectus with this text to match).

Additional Information

We encourage all students to read widely and conduct their own research into the topics they are studying. You will be expected to undertake at least 4-6 hours of independent study time per week. There is a wide range of support material available in the Learning Resource Centres and on the course OneNote site. Throughout the year, you will be able to access additional support and opportunities to stretch and challenge you.

Awarding Body:
AQA

To obtain more information about this course, please call: 01208 224000 or email enquiry@callywith.ac.uk

From the course

Teneisha

Progression: Medicine - Aston University 

Courses studied: A Level Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and AS Physics

Extra activities: Medics' Academy, Student Ambassador

Previous school: Fowey River Academy 

How did Callywith support you in your application to university?

My time at Callywith really helped to make my decision about where to study. It gave me the advice and resources to be able to pick the universities that were best suited to me. The Medics Academy at Callywith really helped my application and the support that I received from my Biology Lecturer Babs, who runs the Medics’ Academy and the students from Plymouth and Exeter Medical School, were vital in me gaining my place at university.

How are you finding your course / experience at university?

I am really enjoying my experience at university, it definitely felt like a big change to begin with and it took some time to adjust to, but I think going to a college rather than a sixth-form helped me to transition faster.

As I am now in my second year at uni, I got to experience almost a full year of on campus teaching before moving online. The shift to online teaching was quite difficult but I realised that it's important to still take the time to talk to people when it can be easy to get bogged down in the workload. My friends and I started video calling each other whilst we work so that we had some company and could break it up a bit. It also has caused me to make much more use of the different resources available to me.

For me, I love to study sciences as it gives me understanding of things that are constantly occurring around us. My studies at college directly translate into my higher education, the concepts covered at college are constantly reviewed and built on through my degree, getting the opportunity to see how science is applied in everyday life, has only deepened my appreciation for the subject.

What are your plans for the future?

I am not completely sure of what I hope to do in the future. At the minute I have particular interests in Emergency medicine, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Do you have any tips for students considering university?

I would recommend first looking at which universities entry requirements best suit you. After this, I found it really helpful to pick a few qualities that I really looked for in a university and this helped to pick the place that suited me best. If you can find a comparison tool for your course, this is really helpful. I used the medic portal Medical School Comparison Tool and having a brief direct comparison helped me to pick my final 4 unis. I would also say it's worth considering how far you want to travel and how often you want to be able to come home as I found this really affects people's enjoyment of uni.

Riley

Progression: Medicine - University of Exeter

Courses studied: A Levels in Biology, Chemistry & Psychology

Extra activities: Medics’ Academy

Previous school: Looe Community Academy

How are you finding university?

I’m loving it so much! It’s been so lovely to explore a different city and build so many genuine friendships that I never thought I would have so early on. At first I was very scared to be this independent but now I couldn’t imagine not being at university. I’ve already been on a range of placements and been able to put my learnt skills to practice on real patients!

How did your time at Callywith influence and support your choice of/transition to university?

When I joined college, I knew I wanted to do medicine but I was unsure on the application process. The Medics’ Academy that Biology Lecturer Babs runs really facilitated that process even offering 1 to 1 interview practice and having the chance to speak to medical students who had previously undergone the application process for tips and advice. In addition, all three of my lecturers were consistently supportive about the application and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. 

What did you enjoy about your A Levels?

What I loved about my A Levels is that they were topics I loved and was interested in. It gave me more of an insight into what I’d be learning at university to pursue my career. My lecturers were friendly and made me feel comfortable in the scary change from GCSEs to A levels. I think specifically, I loved the practical side of my A Levels, especially the dissections!

Why did you choose you university course?

After a personal family event and my big interest for science, I knew medicine was the career I wanted to pursue. I also always wanted to be in a career where I could have something new and interesting happen each day yet also be able to make friends with colleagues and build patient relationships! It has the perfect balance of theory and practical learning at Exeter.

How have you A Levels helped you in your degree?

Most of my A Level content is even being repeated in my uni lectures just in more depth! Psychology has extremely helped me with my essay writing and abled me to dive deeper into why patients might be feeling how they do. Biology has helped me with the foundations of biological science which are used daily in my lectures and the chance i had to dissect multiples things has helped me with my anatomy in university! Chemistry has helped with the pharmacological side of medicine which i struggled massively with in the first year of college. However my confidence has now increased massively with chemistry thanks to Pete, my Chemistry Lecturer. 

What are you hoping to do in the future?

In the future, I hope to go into emergency medicine and become a trauma doctor or possible paediatrics. I haven’t quite yet decided. However I experience new placements regularly so more than likely this will change multiple times!

Anna

Progression: Physical Geography - University of Leeds

Courses studied: A Level Geography, Biology, Chemistry

Extra activites: Academic Academy and Student Ambassador 

Previous school: Looe Community Academy

How did Callywith influence and support you in your application to university?

The lecturers at Callywith pushed me to my full potential and allowed me to realise that reaching my goals would take a lot of hard work, but they were always there to support me along the way. Attending the Academic Academy showed me some of the pathways I could choose, which was both interesting and useful in helping me decide what I wanted to do in the future.

How have your A Level studies helped you in your degree?

I chose to continue my studies in Geography at university because it enables me to understand the world around me both in terms of the physical and human environment, therefore studying it at university allows me to keep my horizons broad and travel the world. The degree builds on the knowledge already established at A level whist also introducing new concepts and strands of geography that had perhaps not previously been touched upon meaning that the course is both interesting and challenging. I chose to do Physical Geography at Leeds University as it is a research-based course meaning I still get to spend time in the labs which I very much enjoyed at A level.

How are you finding your course / experience at university?

I love the atmosphere at Uni because everyone is so supportive of each other so even when I am feeling unsure in my course, there is a whole support network in the university as well as people on my course who are happy to help. The independence gained at Uni can be slightly daunting, but I adapted quickly to the student lifestyle.

What are you hoping to do in the future?

I hope to study for a masters in Environmental Management.

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